2008-09 - Tasmanian Institute of Sport

Talent ID
2008 brought changes to the ongoing Talent ID (TID)
in schools program, previously known as ‘Talent
Search’. The TID in schools program is now independent
from the Australian Sports Commission (ASC)
making Tasmania the only state in Australia to conduct
mass testing statewide.
This time became a transition period for the TID program,
seeing the departure of Talent Search
Coordinator Emily Parker in May 2008 after 18
months in the role. During Emily’s time in the program,
she implemented National Talent ID programs
for wildwater canoeing (Rapid Slaying) and rowing
(Dream Stream). The Talent Search Coordinator role
was temporarily filled from May to November 2008 by
Laboratory Technician Inge Hillier who finalised the
mass screening of students across Tasmania.
In November 2008 Rachel Elsley started in the role of
Sports Performance Officer – Talent Identification and
Development.
The 2008/09 intake offered places to 10 athletes for
12 months development in the program after impressive
performances in difficult and demanding tests in
the sports of athletics, cycling and rowing.
The current 2008/09 athletes have already demonstrated
huge successes, both statewide and in national
competition.
Our cyclists have had a fantastic start to the program,
with Georgia Baker winning bronze at the Australian
Junior Track Championships in March less than six
months after starting the sport. In athletics, Julian
Rushworth and Max Waldron both competed at the
National Under 18 match in Queensland. Max also
represented Tasmania at the Pacific School Games
held at the AIS in Canberra.
So far all members of the TID squad have shown great
commitment and have embraced the challenges presented
to them. We look forward to following their
progress as they continue to develop as athletes.
Rachel Elsley
Sports Performance
Officer
– Talent Identification
and Development
the low number of students who responded, it was
decided to revert back to the original schools program.
Due to the continued support from more than 30
schools across Tasmania, we are able to continue the
Talent ID Program for a 16th year. For the 2009/10
intake, we continue to identify athletes in the sports
of athletics, rowing and cycling (road, track and mountain
biking).
Athletes identified in the sports of rowing and cycling
will have the opportunity to feed into the new national
talent ID programs. Athletes in these squads will
enjoy additional support from their respective national
sporting organisations.
Rachel Elsley
Sports Performance Officer – Talent
Identification and Development
The 2009 Talent ID in schools program introduced a
new structure in an attempt to increase the number of
participating students by trialling the program based
on region. Students in grades seven, eight and nine at
Launceston schools were invited to attend an open
testing session to determine their physical and physiological
potential to become an elite athlete. Based on
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